Kaunana to highlight University of Hawaii research advancements

HONOLULU — Unlocking the secrets of the human brain, killer venom used to fight auto-immune disorders, and testing the hearing capabilities of mammals. These are just some of the unique and impressive research undertakings of University of Hawaiʻi faculty and staff featured in the inaugural issue of Kaunānā, the University of Hawaiʻi‘s new research magazine.

The title, which means "to discover," conveys the university‘s connection with the islands and its commitment to the never-ending quest for scientific knowledge and discovery. Its aim is to increase awareness of the university‘s advances in research amongst alumni, government and community leaders, local industry, and the community at large.

"Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi are conducting important studies in a variety of areas that have great potential for not only advancing the stature of the University of Hawaiʻi, but also contributing to society, economically as well as culturally," said UH Interim Vice President for Research Jim Gaines. "We‘re proud to be able to promote their great work and to share these groundbreaking advancements with alumni, the business community, and the general public."

Kaunānā is produced by the UH Office of the Vice President for Research, Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development, and the UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. It will highlight UH projects focused on the hard sciences—biology, chemistry and astronomy, for example—as well as the arts, humanities and social sciences.

"We sometimes forget that in addition to teaching, our faculty are also charged with the creation of new knowledge or research. As such, they are responsible to a community much larger than their students in the classroom," said UH Mānoa Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Gary Ostrander. "This and future issues of Kaunānā will be an opportunity to share with everyone their accomplishments."

"I think Kaunānā helps remind us that much of the research at UH is directed towards solving some of society‘s most vexing problems. The discoveries our faculty make and the solutions they come up with often have a worldwide impact," said Richard Cox, director of the UH Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development. "Geographically, we may be isolated, but as this issue of Kaunānā illustrates, and as future issues will as well, UH is making contributions that are felt and appreciated around the world."

The magazine is written and edited by Honolulu freelance writer Alex Salkever and designed by Sam Kim. It is expected to be published quarterly, and will feature notes on recent faculty research awards, in-depth articles on current research investigations, and profiles and interviews with researchers and administrators.

"The research taking place at the University of Hawaiʻi is unbelievably exciting and has broad applications," said Salkever. "Many universities across the country produce these types of research magazines, and it‘s a great way to recognize the often unnoticed and unsung accomplishments of all research conducted by faculty and students at the university."

Established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Hawaiʻi is the state‘s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls more than 50,000 students from Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and around the world. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu .